I’ve had this “Paper Panzer” shelf queen packed away for more than a decade. Accidently found while moving other kits around, I decided to resurrect it this past January. The reference photo (not my vehicle) represents the 1/35 conversion kit from Fine Cast Models, and is the Panzerjager IV Kruppvorschlag 88mm Pak 43 L/71, and I matched to a Tamiya Panzer IV kit (of an unknown model/series). I’m sure any Panzer IV would suffice. One other thing…I’m not sure if this ‘company’ is still in business. Finding this conversion also seems to be extremely rare/difficult as well.
So, since January 2024, I started tearing things down, reconstructing, and rebuilding…a little at a time. Even though the 88 shown on drawings is supposedly one of the examples the Germans considered, the kit 88 was warped to the point that it was useless. Enter the parts box. I had an extra 88, with a muzzle brake, and decided that since this was a paper panzer, I would use it on this build.
One of the first order of business is to deal with all those beautiful weld beads German SPG’s all share. Enter ‘green putty’. I began adding/modifying some of those jewels. It’s a finicky process but aren’t they all! Just a few are shown for the moment. Lots more to do.
This vehicle never saw the manufacturing light of day.
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I’ll be watching! Looks good so far. 
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Thanx! Lots to do just yet. Technology passed this kit up, and its donor chassis, more than 20 years ago. Playing catchup.
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Minor update: added more weld beads to the top, and to finish up the access door/hatch structure. Added brass pull handle to door and brass antenna.
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Little bit of an update:
The cleaning rod set is a product of Passion Models, out of Japan and in 3D gray color. While the rod assembly is for a Panzer IV 75mm gun, it’s applied here in a factory setting for setting up bracketry for the 88mm this vehicle carries.
Added skirt bracket plates from TRex, in 3d tan color, out of China, and is applied to both sides of the vehicle. Vehicle number “02” is cut from sprue. The 2 tool stowage clamps on the side of the engine deck are also 3D Passion Models. Barely seen are brass rod lift handles for engine deck access panels, and for the antenna.
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Following your build. I actually have one of these in the stash. Rescued it from the bottom of a vendors bargain bin at a show. I wasn’t too concerned about the quality of the kit or the actual tank’s validity. It was $10 and looked cool. Mine came with a very crappy Italeri Panzer IV kit to build it on - I’m going to bin the Italeri and buy a Tamiya Panzer IV G as a base kit. Seeing yours has inspired me, I’ll have to get mine out and build it for the Sci-Fi Category at AMPS.
Your model is coming along excellent. All the little details are adding up and making the model very interesting. I like the “02” Wanne number. It displays the experimental nature of the vehicle. Keep detailing and this is going to be a real looker. Imagination is your only limit!
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I thought to myself that this vehicle never saw the light of day, and being only a ‘paper’ panzer’, why not give myself a bit of literary license when I decided to resurrect this build from shelf queen status. So, I’ve been looking around the 'net for factory builds and saving what photos I think appropriate. Also, to my advantage, I’ve had Adam Wilder’s 1/35 factory markings making this build a huge plus and will surely add to that battle tested unfinished look I’m seeking. That application is a few weeks off into the future (still working other shelf queens as well).
Question: why would you build for a AMPS sci-fi category? Or, is that your intent forgoing a paper panzer build?? Either way, it will be an unrestrained build not held to historical accurate standards for both you and me. Post your build here too! I have other parts on order for this build, so, it will quite some time before I’m close to being finished…giving you time to catch up! Kinda like a ‘buddy build’! 
One other thought came to mind…I never showed a full-length pic of the 88mm I’m using, so, here it is! It’s been painted black and will stay that way while I’ll dress up the Pz IV chassis with a bit of desert sand here and there.
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Hi Jack!
“Sci-Fi” in AMPS means any fictitious military vehicle, or paper panzer. So, this tank would fit better in Sci-Fi than in Closed Top pre-1945 Axis. Plus, if I can build fast enough, that gives me another open slot to enter in.
I’ll be happy to post my progress here alongside your model. I will be building mine on a historically accurate basis, so it will be cool to see the contrasts. Might be a little while, though. I’ll have to see.
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It’s been a while since I’ve entered/judged an AMPS contest, so, I’ve forgotten they had a Sci-Fi category…but way cool! I’ll most likely keep mine as a ‘what if’ WW2 German build. Like you mention, it will be great to see the contrast of both vehicles here. Get building!!
And since you’re a campaign guru, you could make this a ‘what-if’, or 'paper panzer/allied design thread! Just a thought…
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Minor update: added 4 each 3D lifting hooks from Heavy Hobby (HH35001) and a brass MG 34 from Master Brass (GM-35-028).
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Yet another update:
Added foundry markings to mantlet. Applied a hint of AK Easy Cast Medium to represent a little bit of rolled steel texture to the superstructure. After the Ak Easy Cast, I then allied Mr. Surfacer 1000 over that to give that little extra rough texture. Slight sanding comes later.
What kinda looks like the beginning of a Frankenstein build, I was thinking of adding different sprockets and/or idler wheels…and even giving consideration to two different/distinct type tracks. All in the name of the Germans looking to apply the easiest, most efficient, off-the-shelf equipment.
Other than that, progress has slowed as I await more aftermarket parts to arrive.
Please feel free to comment/suggest on my ideas of mixing part numbers of other vehicles.
I guess I’m going after the Adam Wilder look from his Modelling Guide #2 where he morphs a Panther from a factory look.
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5 Aug 24 update:
First full paint/prime applications. Red factory primer for main vehicle, typical gray primer for main gun, and an extremely light grayish white on the gun mantlet representing zinc phosphate primer. Started weathering the drive sprocket/idler and painting out road wheels. Tracks have their first treatment of slight rust patina, under factory humidity conditions.
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Looking really excellent Jack. I like your colors and your conceptual mixing. I’ve been digging in my stash and I have yet to find my copy of this kit. Still searching. Keep up the great work!
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When you least expect it, or don’t care, or I’m already done, that is when yours will show up. Murphy’s Law!! 
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Update 7 Aug 24:
My intent here is to give the vehicle late war obstacles to the supply chain and cannibalization from other vehicles.
Little bit of color modulation to help contrast against the red factory primer. The cleaning rod set picked out in wood centers/silver gray attachments/black brush, from fairly new off the shelf inventory. Next, I chose to show 4 cannibalized dark yellow access panels from a late wrecked chassis The crowbar, hull machine gun, and exhaust is flat black, maybe from inventory or a wrecked chassis. All view glass is blue Alclad lacquer (which will get a liquid glass treatment at the very end).
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Update 11 Aug 2024:
Factory markings applied over a three-day period.
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Update 13 Aug 2024:
Little bit of weathering taking place. Darkened the zinc phosphate mantlet (dirty factory grime). Gun barrel shows some color separation. Roadwheels weathered to a point except for graphite application on first four steel roadwheels and the non-rubber return rollers. The steel wheels were even roughed up a bit to show previous use. Sprockets and idlers ready to go…weathered, graphite applied, and dull coated. Tracks received a bit more factory wear (installation is later). The tracks are the open horn feature, and from R Model…kit number 35033H. Chassis shows previous owner’s battle dirt. Skirt brackets in steel. The 'Frankenstein" look of this build is beginning to surface.
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Hey Jack, enough with the lurk-age I’m coming out of the er cupboard to say I really like your style & the concept even though I’m usually a rabid anti-paper-panzerite. My impression is this’ll be a one-off & that’s of course your call, but it does make me muse on the possibilities of a vignette/diorama of this beast sitting in a bombed-out factory being inspected by a few GIs… 
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Well, well…thank you for your kind words! I thought over the years that that a paper panzer should not be counted amongst us purist. I softened my stance somewhat when I started this kit years ago, with the adage of wanting to know if this would be a viable beast of war if the Germans had another year or two of fight left in them. Still, in the scheme of things, I’m still “anti” paper panzer for the most part. Additionally, and playing on your words of placing this in a diorama, the thought did come along, but as quickly as it came, it quickly went away. I hardly have the room for static models! What I like about this build, is the freedom from the constructs of a real specific vehicle to a specific time to specific markings. To quote Michelangelo…“I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.” It’s a fun and unrestricted build.
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Well said, and yep I know all about lack of storage/display space too. And I agree nothing needs to be made totally off-limits, if one doesn’t like it then one can go forth and multiply 
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